moved for leave to introduce Bill C-219, an act to amend the Criminal Code (using or operating a stolen motor vehicle in the commission of an offence).
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to introduce this private member's bill. This enactment amends the Criminal Code and provides that a person is guilty of an indictable offence and must be sentenced to one year imprisonment if the person operates or uses a motor vehicle that the person has stolen or knows has been stolen while committing or attempting to commit an offence or during flight after committing or attempting to commit an offence.
The sentence imposed on a person for such an offence shall be served consecutively to any other punishment that is imposed on the person.
The Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police expressed the need for this bill in light of the epidemic of car thefts used to commit a crime. In some cases this has proven to be fatal.
In Vancouver alone there have been three deaths where individuals have stolen cars and killed people. This has also been the case with many young offenders joy riding after stealing a car and encountering police pursuits. This bill is needed as a deterrent to those considering these types of actions. I am pleased to introduce this bill today.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)